At long last, Wagamama is opening its doors.
The long-awaited restaurant, located at 2950 Clarendon Blvd, will start serving the general public on Friday, Aug. 2, a PR rep said. A private, ticketed grand opening event is scheduled to take place on Thursday, Aug. 1.
For $40, diners will sample items from the Asian-inspired restaurant’s menu — both food and drink. A live DJ will be in attendance as the restaurant provides “traditional Japanese entertainment.”
Tickets for the grand opening event can be purchased on Eventbrite.
The British restaurant chain serving Japanese-inspired Asian food initially announced its first D.C.-area location more than two years ago before a variety of delays derailed the opening.
The restaurant’s liquor license application was still pending when ARLnow spoke with a source close to the project last month, but the license has since been approved, according to Virginia ABC.
At Wagamama, diners will be able to indulge in a variety of dishes “inspired by the flavors of Japan” such as grilled duck ramen, chicken katsu curry, spicy salmon teriyaki and more. Sake, traditional Japanese rice wine, is available to drink, as is a variety of boba, beers and cocktails.
After the opening feastivities, the restaurant will be open for dinner service that weekend. It will begin lunch service on Monday, ultimately being open daily from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
The full press release about the opening is below.
Wagamama, the iconic global restaurant brand offering modern Asian cuisine, opens its doors on Thursday, August 1 in Clarendon, marking the brand’s highly anticipated entrance to Arlington, VA. Inspired by fast-paced Japanese ramen bars, Wagamama showcases a fresh take on Asian plates, like noodle dishes, ramens, shareables, juices, and craft cocktails. Translated as ‘naughty child’, the high-energy dining concept offers a nourishing, healthful experience that serves Arlington’s work-hard, play-hard community from bowl to soul.
“We are thrilled to announce wagamama’s long-awaited opening in Arlington,” said Richard Flaherty, CEO of wagamama USA. “It’s so exciting to enter the bustling DMV market and offer a varied modern Asian menu that appeals to the modern consumer.”
FULL-SERVICE DINING FOR THE RESTLESS SPIRIT
Wagamama’s 5,100-square-foot complete-service dining space offers fresh, flavorful dishes, appealing to everyone – diners and diplomats alike – and served in a playful environment, where food is cooked to order and served straight from wok to table. Wagamama delivers whimsical hospitality and familiarity, offering hungry patrons a comforting respite from the fast-paced hustle of the city. Each guest will get a taste of seasonal flavors and whole ingredients that feed the soul as well as the body. Guests can enjoy mouthwatering dishes including the Grilled Duck Ramen, Spicy Salmon Teriyaki and Chicken Katsu Curry and sip new libations, crafted in partnership with SOTO Sake, such as the Vietnamese Espresso Martini, Matcha Mule and Passionfruit Paloma.
FROM BOWL TO BODY AND SOUL
Wagamama seeks to inspire by ‘eating positively’, and prides itself in offering delicious food, created with a modern and nourishing ethos, in an energetic, egalitarian setting where labels are set aside. With 131 seats inside and 47 seats outside, along with a 17-seat bar, wagamama Arlington is ideal for a quick, but unhurried lunch with coworkers, a nutritious post-workout refuel meal, or a more leisurely dinner with visitors, close friends or your next date. The restaurant features communal tables and private booths, along with two outdoor patios for gatherings large and small. At the Arlington location, wagamama has partnered with SoulCycle (2700 Clarendon Blvd) to bring guests a lifestyle-focused experience that incorporates a holistic approach to wellness from ride to dine. With a focus on Arlington’s fitness-driven community, Wagamama will also partner with local run clubs to host ongoing pop-ups and events this summer.
“Our partnerships with SoulCycle and local run clubs are more than just about eating positively; they’re about creating a community cornerstone that fosters wellness and connection,” said Faye O’Brien, Wagamama’s VP of Marketing. “Wagamama is the perfect spot whether you’re refueling post-workout, enjoying a leisurely dinner, or out on that first date!”
GRAND OPENING EVENT ON AUGUST 1
To celebrate the restaurant’s debut, the community is invited to join a grand opening party on Thursday, August 1 at 7:30 p.m. Guests will be greeted with a welcome drink, and they will savor bites of wagamama menu standouts accompanied by a cocktail. Attendees can also delight in complimentary drink tastings, along with traditional Japanese entertainment and a live DJ throughout the evening. As the night continues, guests can enjoy drinks at happy hour prices. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased via Eventbrite.
During opening weekend, wagamama will be open Friday, August 2 from 4-11 p.m.; Saturday, August 3 from 4-11 p.m.; and Sunday, August 4 from 4-10 p.m. Starting Monday, August 5, wagamama Clarendon will open for lunch and dinner daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Guests who are unable to visit in person can enjoy wagamama’s modern Asian cuisine at home in selected delivery platforms UberEATS, Grubhub or DoorDash. For more information about Wagamama, please visit wagamama.us.
ABOUT WAGAMAMA
Wagamama originated in the United Kingdom in 1992 and has over 250 locations worldwide with eight locations in the United States. Wagamama operates popular, award-winning restaurants and offers fresh, Modern Asian cuisine in a friendly, social and vibrant setting. The menu features a wide variety of noodle and rice dishes as well as salads and shareables, fresh juices, tea, wine, sake and Asian beers. Follow wagamama USA on Instagram and Facebook at @wagamamausa.
